It happened to me on Ubuntu. VLC and Jellyfin would both get screen tearing. Games were fine though. After some research, I found that turning on 'force full composition pipeline' in the Nvidia settings fixed it. Still too new to understand the how and why.

You are right about trying to be power users. I switched to Linux recently and definitely struggled with my sudden reduction is understanding. I got everything I needed for gaming setup up in a few hours. Then I tried to set up some productivity workflows and slammed into a brick wall of my own ignorance. I definitely considered just going back to Windows.

I just made the jump to Ubuntu. You don't need a Steam Deck or Steam OS. Steam works just as well on any Linux OS. Proton is the real star because it deals with the compatibility issues so well.

I just set up an Ubuntu dual boot last week. Valve has really made Linux gaming easy. Just one checkbox to enable Steamplay. I don't see myself going back to Windows any time soon. Good luck with Mint.

Potatoes form underground but they can also flower and make fruit. The fruit looks like a little tomato. My advice is to not eat the fruit; it is toxic.

Also, it needs a way bigger pot to make more potatoes.

They are mostly asleep. Until it directly affects them in a negative way, most people won't care enough to take direct action. It is just another bad thing happening to someone else. Like Ukraine and Gaza.